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Akobolokemi re-appointed DG NIMASA for second term

The Nigerian
Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) on Friday announced the
re-appointment of its Director General, Mr Ziakede Akpobolokem, for a second
term of four years.

In a
statement, the head of Public Relations, Mr Isichie Osamgbi, said Akpobolokemi’s
re-appointed by President Goodluck Jonathan was conveyed in a letter dated Oct.
13, 2014.

He said that
the re-appointment letter which was signed by Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim, Secretary
to the Government of the Federation, becomes effective Dec. 23, 2014.

According to the statement, Akpobolokemi got recognition for
improving the maritime sector through various activities in maritime safety and
security implementation.

These
activities created an enabling business environment for maritime and was well
acknowledged by the International Maritime Organisation(IMO), the statement
reads.

“In
his first term, Akpobolokemi repositioned the maritime sector and made it an
important pillar in the nation's economy.

“His
activities resulted in a new wave of improved maritime safety and security,
creating an enabling environment for maritime business as a great contributor
to the nation's economy.”

Some
of the DG’s achievements were recounted in the area of awareness creation in
the maritime domain and ensuring of compliance toward safe and secure port
facilities.

“This
was achieved through enhanced surveillance of the maritime environment with the
introduction of a satellite surveillance system covering the entire Gulf of
Guinea and beyond.

“The
Agency has also procured various platforms and electronic surveillance
equipment through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement for a
round-the-clock monitoring of the Nigerian maritime domain,” it read in part.

His
efforts in manpower capacity building has led to the sponsorship for training
of over 2500 young Nigerians in areas of seafaring in maritime institutions
across the world, the statement read.

It
would be recalled that under Akpobolokemi, NIMASA has set up maritime studies institutes,
maritime university, a shipyard and a dockyard to support boost maritime
capacity building in Nigeria.

He is
also credited with the establishment of an online verification of seafarers'
certificates, online sailing certificate and ship manifest as well as
automating the process of ship registration in Nigeria.